Should You Bother Decanting Your Food?

By Tara Lorenz

Decanting dry goods is simply the process of transferring food items from their original packaging to airtight containers. We see this all over social media. Decanting everything under the sun seems to be the way to get organized right? While some may view this as an unnecessary or even wasteful step, there are actually several benefits to decanting food that make it well worth the effort. Just maybe in smaller doses. Decanting can improve the quality and longevity of your food, as well as make your kitchen more organized and aesthetically pleasing

Here are some of the top benefits of decanting dry goods:

Keeps food fresh: Pantry staples like flour, sugar, rice, and cereal usually come in flimsy paper or plastic bags that don’t provide an airtight seal. This can lead to exposure to moisture, air, and pests which can cause the food to spoil or become stale. By transferring the food to airtight containers, you can protect it from these environmental factors, and keep it fresh for longer.

Reduces waste: When food items go bad or become stale, you generally throw them away, which is a waste of money and resources. By decanting dry goods, you can help prevent food waste by extending the shelf life of your food and reducing the likelihood of spoilage. And saving you money in the long run. With prices these days every little bit helps.

Saves space: Original packaging for dry goods can take up a lot of space in your pantry or cabinets, and can be difficult to stack or organize. By transferring the food to uniform containers, you can save space and create a more organized and visually appealing storage solution.

Makes it easier to identify and access food: When you have multiple bags of food in your pantry, it can be difficult to find what you need, especially if the bags are similar in size or shape. This can often lead to rebuying what you already have. By decanting dry goods, you can label each container with the contents and even the expiration date making it easier to identify and access the food you need as well as when you are running low.

Helps you measure ingredients accurately: When you measure ingredients directly from the bag, it can be difficult to get an accurate measurement, and spills can be messy and wasteful. By transferring the food to airtight containers, you can use measuring cups and spoons more easily and accurately, which can be especially helpful when following recipes. Some containers even have measuring gadgets built into the lids or are sold with the container set.

Creates a more aesthetically pleasing kitchen: Decanting dry goods can give your pantry or cabinets a more uniform and visually appealing look, which can make your kitchen feel more organized and cohesive. Additionally, if you choose containers that match your kitchen decor, decanting can add a stylish touch to your space. If you are short on cabinet space you can store your most used items out in the open in beautiful containers.

Overall, decanting dry goods is a simple practice that can have many benefits for your food, your bank account, and your kitchen. That being said it is a time consuming process and a commitment to keeping up with it. Are you willing to spend another 30-45 minutes decanting all of your groceries when you get home from the store? We suggest you start small if you are skeptical. Decant items you always use like your baking goods or items that always seem to go stale because they never get closed properly like crackers, cereal or chips. By investing in a few airtight containers and taking the time to transfer your food items, you can enjoy fresher, longer-lasting food, a more organized and visually appealing kitchen, and a reduced environmental footprint.